Luggage having auxiliary bag retaining device

ABSTRACT

A luggage includes a retaining device for easily hooking a handle of an auxiliary bag to the luggage. A retainer has one end pivotally secured to the front portion of the hook, and the other end movable toward the rear portion of the hook, for retaining the handle in the hook. A latch is slidably received in the hook for detachably securing the other end of the retainer to the hook, and thus for stably retaining the handle to the hook. The users may easily attach the handle of the auxiliary bag to the hook. A button may be used to disengage the latch from the other end of the retainer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a luggage, and more particularly to a luggage assembly having a retaining device for easily hooking and securing and attaching an auxiliary bag to the luggage.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Various kinds of typical luggage devices have been developed for traveling use. Some of the luggage devices includes an auxiliary bag for attaching to the luggage device with straps, and for carrying additional goods or objects. U.S. Pat. No. 2,581,417 to Jones, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,707,035 to Lashley, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,431 to King et al. disclose three of the typical luggage devices, and include an auxiliary bag to be attached or secured onto the luggage device with straps.

[0005] However, it takes time and it is inconvenient to attach or to secure the auxiliary bag onto the luggage device by winding or engaging the straps around the auxiliary bag and the luggage device, or by engaging the straps of the auxiliary bag onto the handle of the luggage device. It may required one person to hold the auxiliary bag, and the other person to engage the straps to the luggage device and/or the auxiliary bag.

[0006] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional luggage devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a luggage assembly including a retaining device for easily hooking and securing and attaching an auxiliary bag to the luggage, and for allowing the auxiliary bag to be easily and quickly disengaged from the luggage.

[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a luggage assembly comprising a luggage including an auxiliary bag retaining device for easily and readily hooking or attaching an auxiliary bag to the luggage.

[0009] The auxiliary bag includes a handle, the hook body includes a recess formed therein, and defined between a front portion and a rear portion, for receiving and supporting the handle therein.

[0010] A retainer is selectively coupled between the front portion and the rear portion of the hook body for enclosing the recess of the hook body.

[0011] For example, the retainer includes a first end pivotally attached to the front portion of the hook body, and a second end movable toward the rear portion of the hook body, for enclosing the recess of the hook body.

[0012] The front portion of the hook body includes two holes formed therein and offset from each other, the retainer includes two limbs having different lengths, and having one end engaged in the holes of the hook body respectively.

[0013] The rear portion of the hook body includes a channel formed therein, the retainer includes a rod provided on the second end thereof for selectively engaging into the channel of the hook body.

[0014] A latching device may further be used to latch the second end of the retainer to the hook body. The hook body includes a channel formed in the rear portion thereof and communicating with the chamber thereof, the latching device includes a latch slidably received in the chamber of the hook body to hook the rod of the retainer.

[0015] The latch includes a catch engageable with the rod for securing the rod of the retainer to the hook body. A spring biasing device may further be provided for biasing the catch of the latch to engage with the rod of the retainer.

[0016] A device may further be used for disengaging the catch of the latch from the rod of the retainer, and includes a button slidably received in the rear portion of the hook body, and engageable with the latch for disengaging the catch away from the rod by moving the button relative to the hook body.

[0017] The button includes a lower portion having an actuator provided thereon for engaging with the latch and for moving the latch relative to the hook body, in order to disengage the catch from the rod.

[0018] The button includes a stop having an inclined surface formed therein for engaging with the latch and for moving the latch relative to the hook body.

[0019] The button includes a cavity formed therein, the hook body includes a jut extended into the cavity of the button for limiting the button to move relative to the hook body.

[0020] Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of a detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a luggage assembly including an auxiliary bag retaining device in accordance with the present invention for easily and quickly attaching an auxiliary bag to the luggage;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view illustrating the attachment of the auxiliary bag to the luggage;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the auxiliary bag retaining device;

[0024]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the auxiliary bag retaining device as shown from the front portion of the auxiliary bag retaining device;

[0025]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the auxiliary bag retaining device as shown from the rear portion of the auxiliary bag retaining device;

[0026]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 3; and

[0027]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 6, illustrating the operation of the auxiliary bag retaining device for the luggage assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0028] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrated is a luggage assembly including a luggage 10 having an auxiliary bag retaining device 3 in accordance with the present invention for easily and quickly attaching an auxiliary bag 20 to the luggage 10.

[0029] For example, the auxiliary bag 20 may include a handle 21 for attaching or hooking to the auxiliary bag retaining device 3 that may be directly secured to the luggage 10 or indirectly secured to the luggage 10 with a strap 11.

[0030] Referring next to FIGS. 3-6, the auxiliary bag retaining device 3 includes a recess 30 formed in a hook body 31 for receiving the handle 21 of the object or of the auxiliary bag 20. The hook body 31 includes a substantially U-shaped structure and having a stem 32 provided on one end or the rear portion or extended upwardly from the rear portion of the hook body 31.

[0031] For example, the stem 32 includes a passage 33 formed in the upper portion thereof for receiving the strap 11, and for attaching or securing the hook body 31 of the auxiliary bag retaining device 3 to the luggage 10.

[0032] The hook body 31 includes a chamber 34 formed therein, such as formed in the stem 32 thereof, and formed or defined by a housing 35, and includes an access or a channel 36 formed therein, such as formed in the housing 35 and communicating with the chamber 34 thereof.

[0033] The hook body 31 includes two holes 37 formed in the other end or the front portion 39 thereof, and offset from each other, and having different distances away from the stem 32 or the housing 35; i.e., the holes 37 of the hook body 31 are not aligned or parallel to each other.

[0034] A retainer 40 includes two limbs 41, 42 and a rod 43 coupled between one end of the limbs 41, 42 for forming a U-shaped structure. The limbs 41, 42 of the retainer 40 include different lengths and each has a bent segment 44 formed or provided on the other end thereof for engaging into the holes 31 of the hook body 31.

[0035] The rod 43 of the retainer 40 may be engaged into the channel 36 of the housing 35 or of the stem 32 for enclosing the upper opening of the recess 30 of the hook body 31, and thus for stably retaining the handle 21 of the auxiliary bag 20 in the recess 30 of the hook body 31.

[0036] It is to be noted that the limbs 41, 42 of different lengths may form or provide a resilient or biasing force to the retainer 40 relative to or against the hook body 31, for biasing or for retaining the rod 43 of the retainer 40 in the retaining position as shown in FIG. 6, or in the open position as shown in FIG. 7.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the hook body 31 includes a stud 38 extended in the housing 35 or provided in the chamber 34 of the housing 35. A latch 60 includes an oblong hole 61 formed therein for slidably receiving the stud 38 and thus for allowing the latch 60 to be moved up and down relative to the housing 35 or the hook body 31.

[0038] The latch 60 includes a bent upper segment or a catch 62 formed or provided on the upper portion thereof for hooking the rod 43 of the retainer 40, and for securing or retaining the retainer 40 at the retaining position or enclosing position as shown in FIG. 6.

[0039] The latch 60 further includes a depression 63 formed therein, such as formed in one side portion thereof, or formed in a side casing 64 thereof, and formed or defined by a rib 66 (FIGS. 4, 6, 7) that is formed on the bottom portion of the side casing 64 or of the latch 60.

[0040] A cover 70 is secured to the hook body 31 with such as a fastener 71 which may be engaged through the cover 70 and secured to the stud 38, for enclosing the chamber 34 of the housing 35, and for retaining the latch 60 within the chamber 34 of the housing 35. The cover 70 may thus be formed as a rear cover for the housing 35 or for the stem 32.

[0041] A spring 73 may be engaged on the stud 38, and biased between the cover 70 of the stem 32 and the latch 60, for biasing the catch 62 of the latch 60 to hook or to engage the rod 43 and thus to retain the retainer 40 at the retaining position or enclosing position as shown in FIG. 6.

[0042] The cover 70 includes an extension 77 extended from the bottom portion thereof and engaged into the chamber 34 of the housing 35, for stably positioning the cover 70 to the housing 35, and for preventing the cover 70 from moving or rotating relative to the housing 35. The cover 70 further includes a jut 74 extended therefrom and engaged into the chamber 34 of the housing 35.

[0043] The stem 32 or the housing 35 further includes a duct 80 provided therein, such as vertically formed in the upper portion thereof, and having a bore 81 formed therein and communicating with the chamber 34 of the housing 35, for slidably receiving a button 82 in the bore 81 of the duct 80.

[0044] The button 82 includes an enlarged head 83 formed or provided on top thereof, and extended out of the duct 80, for being depressed by the users. A spring 84 is engaged onto the button 82 and biased between the head 83 and the stem 32 or the housing 35, for biasing the head 83 and the button 82 out of the duct 80.

[0045] The button 82 includes a cavity 85 formed therein, and defined by a stop 86. The jut 74 of the cover 70 or of the housing 35 is engaged into the cavity 85 of the button 82 and engageable with the stop 86 of the button 82, for limiting the button 82 to move up and down relative to the stem 32 or the housing 35.

[0046] The button 82 further includes an inclined surface 87 formed in the bottom of the stop 86, and includes a notch 88 formed and provided below the stop 86, and includes an inclined surface or an actuator 89 formed or provided on the bottom end of the button 82.

[0047] As best shown in FIG. 6, the latch 60 or the side casing 64 is received or engaged in the notch 88 of the button 82, and the inclined surface 87 of the stop 86 or of the button 82 is engaged with the upper portion of the latch 60 or the side casing 64, and the actuator 89 is engaged with the rib 66 of the latch 60 or the side casing 64.

[0048] In operation, as shown in FIG. 7, the side casing 64 and the latch 60 may be forced or moved rearwardly against the spring 73 by the stop 86 and/or the actuator 89, when the button 82 is depressed downwardly or inwardly into the bore 81 of the duct 80 or of the housing 35 or of the stem 32, in order to disengage the catch 62 from the rod 43 of the retainer 40.

[0049] Once the catch 62 is forced or disengaged from the rod 43 of the retainer 40, the rod 43 of the retainer 40 may be biased away from the stem 32 or the housing 35 by the resilience of the retainer 40, in order to open the recess 30 of the hook body 31, and for allowing the handle 21 of the auxiliary bag 20 to be easily disengaged from the hook body 31.

[0050] When the button 82 is released, the spring 73 may bias the latch 60 forward again, to hook the rod 43 with the catch 62 thereof when the rod 43 is forced or moved into the channel 36 of the housing 35 or of the stem 32, so as to enclose the upper opening of the recess 30 of the hook body 31 again. The button 82 may be biased upwardly relative to the duct 80 and the stem 32 by the spring 84.

[0051] The hook body 31 may thus be used to stably retain the handle 21 of the auxiliary bag 20 therein, for stably securing the auxiliary bag 20 to the luggage 10. The conventional luggage devices have no hook members for easily and quickly hooking or attaching the auxiliary bag 20 to the luggage 10.

[0052] The retainer 40 of the auxiliary bag retaining device 3 may further be used to stably retain the handle 21 of the auxiliary bag 20 in the recess 30 of the hook body 31, and for preventing the handle 21 of the auxiliary bag 20 from being disengaged from the hook body 31.

[0053] When the rod 43 of the retainer 40 is forced or moved into the channel 36 of the housing 35 or of the stem 32, the catch 62 of the latch 60 may be arranged to be slightly movable relative to the stem 32 or the housing 35, for allowing the rod 43 of the retainer 40 to be engaged into the channel 36 of the housing 35 or of the stem 32 and hooked by the catch 62 of the latch 60 easily.

[0054] After the rod 43 of the retainer 40 has been engaged into the channel 36 of the housing 35 or of the stem 32 and hooked by the catch 62 of the latch 60, the spring 73 may bias the latch 60 forward or toward the rod 43, for allowing the rod 43 to be stably locked or hooked by the catch 62 of the latch 60.

[0055] When it is required to disengage the handle 21 of the auxiliary bag 20 from or out of the recess 30 of the hook body 31, it is only required to depress the button 82 against the spring 84, in order to disengage the catch 62 of the latch 60 from the rod 43. The rod 43 of the retainer 40 may then be biased away from the stem 32 or the housing again in order to open the recess 30 of the hook body 31. The button 82 may thus be used as a device to disengage the catch 62 from the rod 43.

[0056] Accordingly, the luggage assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a retaining device for easily hooking and securing and attaching an auxiliary bag to the luggage, and for allowing the auxiliary bag to be easily and quickly disengaged from the luggage.

[0057] Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

I claim:
 1. A luggage assembly comprising: a luggage including an auxiliary bag retaining device, an auxiliary bag, and said auxiliary bag retaining device including a hook body for hooking said auxiliary bag, and for attaching said auxiliary bag to said luggage.
 2. The luggage assembly according to claim 1, wherein said auxiliary bag includes a handle, said hook body includes a recess formed therein for receiving and supporting said handle therein.
 3. The luggage assembly according to claim 1, wherein said hook body includes a recess formed therein and defined between a front portion and a rear portion, and a retainer selectively coupled between said front portion and said rear portion of said hook body for enclosing said recess of said hook body.
 4. The luggage assembly according to claim 3, wherein said retainer includes a first end pivotally attached to said front portion of said hook body, and a second end movable toward said rear portion of said hook body, for enclosing said recess of said hook body.
 5. The luggage assembly according to claim 4, wherein said front portion of said hook body includes two holes formed therein and offset from each other, said retainer includes two limbs having different lengths, and having one end engaged in said holes of said hook body respectively.
 6. The luggage assembly according to claim 4, wherein said rear portion of said hook body includes a channel formed therein, said retainer includes a rod provided on said second end thereof for selectively engaging into said channel of said hook body.
 7. The luggage assembly according to claim 1, wherein said hook body includes a front portion and a rear portion, and a retainer having a first end pivotally attached to said front portion of said hook body, and a second end movable toward said rear portion of said hook body, and means for latching said second end of said retainer to said hook body.
 8. The luggage assembly according to claim 7, wherein said hook body includes a chamber and a channel formed in said rear portion thereof and communicating with each other, said retainer includes a rod provided on said second end thereof for selectively engaging into said channel and said chamber of said hook body, said latching means includes a latch slidably received in said chamber of said hook body to hook said rod of said retainer.
 9. The luggage assembly according to claim 8, wherein said latch includes a catch engageable with said rod for securing said rod of said retainer to said hook body.
 10. The luggage assembly according to claim 9 further comprising means for biasing said catch of said latch to engage with said rod of said retainer.
 11. The luggage assembly according to claim 9 further comprising means for disengaging said catch of said latch from said rod of said retainer.
 12. The luggage assembly according to claim 11, wherein said disengaging means includes a button slidably received in said rear portion of said hook body, and engageable with said latch for disengaging said catch away from said rod by moving said button relative to said hook body.
 13. The luggage assembly according to claim 12, wherein said button includes a lower portion having an actuator provided thereon for engaging with said latch and for moving said latch relative to said hook body, in order to disengage said catch from said rod.
 14. The luggage assembly according to claim 12, wherein said button includes a stop having an inclined surface formed therein for engaging with said latch and for moving said latch relative to said hook body.
 15. The luggage assembly according to claim 12, wherein said button includes a cavity formed therein, said hook body includes a jut extended into said cavity of said button for limiting said button to move relative to said hook body. 